vs Sharnbrook Casuals Reserves

Devonshire Arms Line up:
GK: Steve Howe
RB: Simon Testro
CB: Trevor Marsh
CB: David Brooks
LB: Nick Hurd
CM: Isaac Okyere
CM: Terry Hall
RM: Jason Williams
LM: Dan Fisk
CF: Shaun Murphy
CF: Matt Knights
Subs: Jeff Udoh, Arthur McMurray

After a run of five defeats the Devonshire were looking to break their dismal form of late and record a victory, their last match against Sharnbrook was a 2-2 draw in the final game of last season. Sharnbrook took a hiding last week and would be eager to get their own season back on track.

The game started well for Sharnbrook , pushing forward well and creating a few early sights at goal, the Devy had another new centre back pairing in Brooksy and Trevor, hopefully they could put in a good performance.

The Devy had few chances early on, Smurf firing a few over from long range was as close as they got for 20 minutes, until a corner on the right, swung in by Isaac was headed away by the defender but only as far as Dan, who with his back to goal shot the ball over his head, over the keepers grasp and just under the bar, it was an inch perfect effort from Dan and it gave the Devy the lead, 1-0 Devonshire Arms.

In the Devys last game they went 1-0 up and ended up on the wrong end of a 3-1 score line so nobody was being over confident, they would have to battle hard to stay in front.

A tactical switch saw Simon and Nick swap positions so Nick could track the pacey left winger and Simon could deal easily with the not so pacey right winger.

The midfield of Devonshire Arms were performing well, Terry was playing his first game back after suspension and injury, was tackling well alongside the ever present Isaac.

Sharnbrook had a series of corners and it was one of these that lead to their best chance so far, a goal bound shot beat everyone apart from Jason on the goal line, he blocked the shot and stabbed it clear, that's as good as a goal... And talking of goals, it wasn't long before the Devonshire increased their lead, another corner swung in by Isaac was met by Brooks, the ball fell to Smurf with the goal at his mercy, he blasted it home powerfully with his left foot, a good strike but it was harder to miss... 2-0 Devonshire Arms.

Matt and Smurf were a constant threat up front, good link up play from both of them was providing some good opportunities.

The Devy although not playing their best football had found themselves 2-0 up, Sharnbrook were pressing and some great saves from Steve in goal kept the clean sheet intact. Trevor was tracking Sharnbrook's dangerous pacey striker all over the pitch, but unfortunately it would be this striker who was responsible for reducing the Devy lead, a long throw into the box eventually fell to him and he made no mistake with his finish. 2-1 Devonshire. Arms

Right on the stroke of half time the Devy had lost concentration and given Sharnbrook a lifeline, would they live to regret it? Time would tell.

Half Time

After another encouraging team talk from Steve Williams the Devy took the pitch for the second half optimistic that they could hang onto their lead and maybe even increase it.

The first ten minutes of the second half was possibly Devys best spell of the game, some good passing was evident and Sharnbrook were not given any chances, Jason and Dan were playing well on the wings and the midfield were finding space well, if they kept playing like this surely another goal would come?

And it soon did, a great ball from midfield saw Smurf running at goal, he took the ball to the right of the box and hit it towards goal, the shot was going wide but both Matty and Dan had kept up with play well, the ball eluded Matty but not Dan, he struck it home calmly from the back post, Dans second and the Devys third. 3-1 Devonshire Arms.

They had restored their two goal lead and would be looking to hang onto it this time, they would have to defend well to keep Sharnbrook at bay, Nick was performing very well on the right and Trevor was still carrying out his man to man marking role well, another series of corners saw Steve forced into action again but he passed the test well, Jason was also in the right place at the right time once more, clearing off the line when a goal looked certain.

With Sharnbrook pushing forward there were bound to be opportunities for goals, a quick break from the back saw Matty, Smurf, Dan and Nick closing in on the goal, after some good play from Smurf the ball rebounded to the edge of the six yard box, Nick was closing in, would he record his first ever Devonshire Arms goal? Yes!!! A calm strike from Nick and he placed it in the bottom right corner, he still had a lot to do and he did it well. 4-1 Devonshire Arms.

A good team goal and no more than the Devy and Nick deserved, but they still couldn't afford to take their foot off the gas, they'd lost bigger leads than this in the past. Sharnbrook continued to press and saw one of their strikers carried off after a challenge from Brooks.

Sharnbrook must be into double figures for corners, it was one of these that lead to their second goal, poked clear the ball fell to their big midfielder, he hit a rocket like shot from well outside the area, the ball screamed towards goal and Steve could slow it down, but not stop it, the ball was in the net. 4-2 Devonshire Arms.

With not long left changes were made, Terry and Simon made way, Arthur making his first appearance of the season slotted in at left back and Jeff went into midfield.

With only minutes left on the watch Matty received the ball in midfield, he saw Jeffs run towards goal and played a great ball straight into Jeffs path, the keeper rushed out but Jeff looped the ball over his head into the net, a very well taken goal. 5-2 Devonshire Arms.

The Devy had done the simple things well today, it wasn't pretty but it was a victory and that's what matters. With at least 5 players missing they had recorded another win, it was needed to stop their slide down the table. Good performances from a lot of the team today, spirits were lifted, bring on Caldecote, the Devy are waiting....

Final Score - Devonshire Arms 5 - 2 Sharnbrook Casuals Reserves

To report a correction of information or to send any comments or reports please email info@devonshirearmsfc.co.uk